Holder for flexible dictating-tubes of phonographs.



APPLIUATION FILED JULY 8, 1912.

Patented July 1, 1913.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY E. STODDARD. HOLDER FOR FLEXIBLE DIGTATING TUBES 0P PHQNOGRAPHS.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 8, 1912.

Patented July 1, 1913.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY ELGIN STODDARD, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

HOLDER FOR, FLEXIBLE DICTA'II'NG-TUBES OF PHONOGRAPHS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 8, 1912.

Patented July 1, 1913. Serial No. 708,309.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELGIN STODDARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and they are sometimes called, have been quite generally adopted in offices for dictating thereon letters or other communications, which are afterward taken audibly therefrom by a typist and transcribed on the typewriter. For dictating to such a phonograph there is used either a horn, of metal or other suitable rigid material, or a flexible tube having at the outer end a mouth-piece. The horn is objectionable to some users of the phonograph, because it is necessary for the user thereof to assume a fixed position while dictating. For this reason the flexible tube is preferred by a great many users of these instruments. There are, however, disadvantages connected with the use of the flexible tube. To obtain the best results the tube should be held in the hand so that 'the mouthpiece touches the upper lip and is inclined downward toward the mouth of the user. To hold the mouthpiece in this position for a long time, with the tube supported at one end by the hand, becomes slightly wearisome. Moreover, the tube, when not in use, is liable to be in the way of papers or other articles lying upon the desk of the user.

The object of my invention is to provide a holder for a flexible tube, which will avoid both of these objections.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my device, the dictating phonograph itself being shown in dotted lines; Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the line 2*2 of Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and a are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 of a modified form of my invention.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a dictating phonograph, having a diaphragm traveling carriage 2, to which is attached in the usual manner a flexible sound tube 3, having a mouthpiece 4, all of the usual construction. At the left hand front corner of the casing of the phonograph, I secure a vertical pivot pin 6, this pivot being preferably formed at its lower end with a screw 7, which takes the place of the screw ordinarily used to connect the cover of the casing to the casing itself. Upon said pivot can swing upper and lower arms 8, 9, of a bracket 10, to which is pivoted, as shown at 11, a holder 12, the rear end of which is adj ustably secured by a screw 13 in a slot 1 1 formed in said bracket 10. Said arm is of suitable length for the purpose required, and is curved at its outer end and is there formed with a guide 15 of a height just sufficient to contain the flexible tube, and of a general triangular form, said guide diverging from its apex rearwardly or toward the diaphragm carrier. Said guide is open at the base but is closed on the other two sides, one of the sides being formed by the holder 12 to which the guideway is attached. The tube 3 passes through the open base 16 through the apex of the guide.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, there is provided a standard 21 supporting a post 22 upon which is adjustably secured a collar 23, said collar supporting at a variable elevation the arms 8 and 9 of the bracket 10, in which bracket is supported, as shown at 2 1, so as to be angularly adjustable therein, a curved rod 26, the outer end of which carries a swiveled ring 27. The flexible tube passes through this swivel ring, and has attached thereto rings 28 surrounding the rod 26. It will be observed that in this modification the holder is not only angularly, but also vertically, adjustable.

In use, the user grasps the mouthpiece and draws it toward his mouth, the flexible tube sliding outwardly through the guide 15 and the holder and bracket turning on the pivot pin. After use, the user pushes the mouthpiece from him, whereupon the holder, carrying the flexible tube, swings backward on its vertical pivot pin, the flexible tube at the same time sliding inward through the guide. In this position it is out of the way of papers and other articles lying upon the users desk.

The holder is of such a height, that the flexible tube hangs therefrom so that the mouthpiece is approximately directed down ward toward the mouth of the operator, so that very little exertion is required to support it in the exact position which the user finds best for dictation. This elevation of the upper end of the holder can be adjusted freely slide in an approximately horizontal direction, and a vertical pivot connecting the holder With the bracket.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set to suit each individual by moving the rear end of the holder in the lug and clamping it therein.

In combination a bracket for a flexible my hand in the presence of two subscribing 15 sound-conveying tube of a talking machine Witnesses. having a traveling reproducer, comprising ELGIN STODDARD. a lower portion mounted to freely swing lVitnesses:

FRANcIs M. l/VRIGHT,

about a substantially vertical axis, a holder D. B. RICHARDS.

having a guide through which said tube can Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents;

Washington, D. C. 

